DOCSLIB.ORG

General Assembly Official Records Sixty-Third Session

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
General Assembly Official Records Sixty-Third Session United Nations A/63/PV.11 General Assembly Official Records Sixty-third session 11th plenary meeting Friday, 26 September 2008, 9 a.m. New York President: Mr. D’Escoto Brockmann ........................... (Nicaragua) In the absence of the President, Mr. Hausiku Now, if the Assembly will permit me, I should (Namibia), Vice-President, took the Chair. like to continue in my native language. (spoke in Montenegrin; interpretation provided by the The meeting was called to order at 9.05 a.m. delegation) Address by Mr. Filip Vujanović, President As the youngest United Nations Member, of Montenegro Montenegro has left its mark on the international scene. It gained its statehood centuries ago and The Acting President: The Assembly will now democratically restored it in 2006. For us, statehood hear an address by the President of Montenegro. represents political freedom, but also political Mr. Filip Vujanović, President of Montenegro, was responsibility. Both are qualities that we look for and escorted into the General Assembly Hall. find in the United Nations: in the spirit of its Charter, and in the promotion of mutual respect and equality The Acting President: On behalf of the General among nations and peoples. Assembly, I have the honour to welcome to the United Nations His Excellency Mr. Filip Vujanović, President Multilateralism lies at the core of the of Montenegro, and to invite him to address the international system and inspires strong motivation and Assembly. commitment. That is why the United Nations provides a reliable framework for maintaining international President Vujanović: It is my honour and peace and security, strengthening democracy, pleasure to welcome the election of Mr. Miguel protecting human rights and freedoms, respecting d’Escoto Brockmann as President of the General international law and fostering the economic and social Assembly at its sixty-third session. I wish him great development of all States. success in carrying out that complex, responsible and challenging task. I would also like to express my Today, the world Organization is going through a sincere gratitude and great respect to Mr. Srgjan process of necessary reform prompted by great Kerim, President at the sixty-second session, for achievements, but also by some setbacks, and even successfully leading the Assembly during his tenure. In failures. Montenegro supports a process of pragmatic addition, I would like to pay tribute to the Secretary- reform at the United Nations. As a small State, we are General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and to emphasize our full particularly interested in strengthening the authority of support for his efforts to strengthen the position of the the General Assembly and other main United Nations United Nations as a valuable factor in resolving the bodies. issues on the ever-expanding international agenda. This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of speeches delivered in the other languages. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room C-154A. Corrections will be issued after the end of the session in a consolidated corrigendum. 08-52272 (E) *0852272* A/63/PV.11 The Security Council lies at the heart of the faced by countries in transition affect the dynamics and overall reform process and needs to be transformed quality of the way we tackle other issues, thus making taking into account equitable regional representation, the implementation of the Millennium Declaration transparency and improvement in its working methods. imperative. Therefore, the development needs and Montenegro supports intergovernmental negotiations. priorities of the African countries, discussed at length We are undoubtedly faced with a very challenging and during the 22 September high-level meeting, require complex process, but one to which Montenegro will urgent global solidarity and support. strive to contribute. Montenegro fully supports United Nations efforts Respect for human rights and freedoms, to resolve the problems caused by the energy crisis, improvement of minority and faith-based rights and the especially rising food prices worldwide. We also fully strengthening of good-neighbourly relations will support the intention of the Secretary-General and of continue to be the foundation of our national stability, the United Nations to focus the attention of the as well of regional stability. Our engagement at international community on vital issues such as food national, regional and international levels is therefore prices and food security, in addition to the issues of focused on the rule of law and the fight against climate change and the MDGs. The reason behind this corruption and organized crime. is obvious: everyone is affected and is hence committed to solving those problems. This year we mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The In the light of that, we agree with the proposed Declaration is still vital and applicable. We are fully United Nations action in the multilateral framework. dedicated to its implementation and determined to We commend the recent adoption of the Rome uphold its values and principles. In support of that, Declaration on World Food Security, and strongly Montenegro has presented its candidature for believe that integrated international action is the best membership of the Human Rights Council for the response. period 2012-2015. As an ecologically concerned State, Montenegro As the achievement of the Millennium cherishes an interactive relationship between the Development Goals represents one of the key environmental aspects of the protection of natural objectives of United Nations policy, it is only natural resources, on the one hand, and the production and that small and developing States, such as Montenegro, distribution of organic food on the other hand. should be resolved to make a concerted effort towards Furthermore, Montenegro encourages the creation of those goals. Aware of all the challenges in an international trade environment that favours small- implementing that agenda, Montenegro shares the scale producers and developing countries. Public- Secretary-General’s opinion that yesterday’s high-level private partnerships on specific projects, as one form event contributed positively to the increased of cooperation between my Government and United commitment to realize the goals that have been set. Nations agencies in the field of energy efficiency, are also of special importance for us. Challenges that we are facing today, including political problems, hotspots, blatant violations of Montenegro has many reasons to be satisfied with human rights and freedoms, proliferation of weapons the dynamics and results of its ongoing reform of mass destruction, terrorism, environmental processes. Promotion of democracy, equality and degradation and climate change, require an adequate tolerance among States and peoples has been and will response and decisive action. We believe that no continue to be our political doctrine. We are motivated effective or lasting response is possible without joint by a desire for stability and economic and cultural action by the entire international community. development, and we demonstrate this in practice in our relationships with neighbours and regional Countries in transition, such as our own, have partners. It is also a basis for Montenegro’s progress in relevant experience and are strongly motivated to offer European and Euro-Atlantic integration. continuous support to the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus, in the light of the forthcoming Our European Union (EU) and NATO agenda is International Conference on Financing for based on the principles of democracy, a functional Development, to be held in Doha. Economic challenges market economy, efficient institutions and the rule of 2 08-52272 A/63/PV.11 law. In the process of integration, special emphasis is President Préval (spoke in French): Just one placed on the dynamics and time frame in which our year ago (see A/62/PV.6), I recalled before this progress is being achieved — in all areas, including Assembly that I was bringing the words of a people political, legislative, economic and public administration who for 200 years have experienced extreme suffering reform. as a result of all kinds of material privation and complete vulnerability in the face of natural risks and This year, Montenegro joined the Union for the disasters. Mediterranean. We appreciate the support offered by our EU partners and other members of that significant At that time, I hardly thought that I would find initiative. Montenegro stands ready to make its myself here again one year later against the backdrop contribution and to take an active part in the of the image of hundreds of children, women and the revitalization of the projects within that initiative. elderly swept away by floodwaters, hundreds of thousands of citizens suddenly finding themselves Montenegro is taking a step forward in its without shelter, tens of thousands of tons of security policy, centred on multilateral cooperation, agricultural harvest destroyed in a few hours, not to with the aim of creating a legislative framework for the mention the incalculable damage to basic infrastructure deployment of our police, military and civilian such as communication networks, art works, irrigation personnel to United Nations
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Monografija EPCG Za Web Low
    100 GODINA CRNOGORSKE ELEKTROPRIVREDE Autori Prof. dr Živko M. Andrijašević Prof. dr Zvezdan Folić Mr Dragutin Papović Izdavač Elektroprivreda Crne Gore AD Nikšić Za izdavača Srđan Kovačević Stručni konsultant Prof. dr Lazar Ljubiša Lektor i korektor Zuvdija Hodžić Prepress Vladimir Papić, Lutrex Podgorica Štampa Grafotisak Grude Tiraž 1000 CIP - Katalogizacija u publikaciji Centralna narodna biblioteka Crne Gore, Cetiwe 621.31(497.16)(091) АНДРИЈАШЕВИЋ, Живко М. [Sto] 100 godina crnogorske elektroprivrede / Živko M. Andrijašević, Zvezdan Folić, Dragutin Papović. - Nikšić : Elektroprivreda Crne Gore AD Nikšić, 2010 (Grude : Grafotisak) . - 256 str. : fotogr., faks; 32 cm Tiraž 1000. ISBN 978-9940-9295-0-3 1. Фолић, Звездан [аутор] 2. Паповић, Драгутин [аутор] а) Електропривреда - Црна Гора - Историја - COBISS.CG-ID 16237072 Živko M. Andrijašević Zvezdan Folić Dragutin Papović USE THIS LOGO VERSION ABOVE 4cm GODINA CRNOGORSKE ELEKTROPRIVREDE Nikšić 2010. PREDGOVOR Avgusta 1910. godine u Crnoj Gori je na najsvečaniji način, i u prisustvu velikog broja inostranih zvanica, obilježen jubilej knjaza Nikole – pedeset godina vladavine. Na dan jubileja, knjaz Nikola je proglašen za kralja, a Crna Gora za kraljevinu. U vrijeme ovog velikog jubileja, u Cetinju, crnogorskoj prijestolnici, puštena je u rad prva električna centrala za javne namjene. Grad je tada dobio električno osvjetljenje. Avgusta 2010. godine navršilo se sto godina od kada je na prostoru Crne Gore počela upotreba električne energije za javne svrhe (osvjetljenje naselja). Tim povodom, preduzeće “Elektroprivreda Crne Gore” odlučilo je da ovaj veliki jubilej – vijek elektrike u Crnoj Gori, obilježi nizom manifestacija, kao i da publikuje monografiju koja će prikazati istorijat ove privredne grane na prostoru Crne Gore tokom jednog vijeka.
    [Show full text]
  • PREDSJEDNIK RH STJEPAN MESIĆ DODIJELIO ODLIČJE DR. MILOŠU MILOŠEVIĆU Ponos Svima
    GLASILO HRVATA CRNE GORE Godina VI Broj 39-40 Lipanj-Srpanj 2008. Cijena 1 € ISSN 1800-5179 PREDSJEDNIK RH STJEPAN MESIĆ DODIJELIO ODLIČJE DR. MILOŠU MILOŠEVIĆU Ponos svima 1200 GODINA DOLASKA 880099.. moćiju Sv. Tripuna u Kotor 22000099.. DR. MILOŠ MILOŠEVIĆ Poštovani čitatelji Događaji su u lipnju i srpnju samo prestizali jedan drugog – dodjela odličja dr. Milošu Miloševiću; gostovanje Hrvat - skog narodnog kazališta Zagreb; Prvi regionalni susret urednika glasila manjinskih zajednica i njihovih medijskih partnera… Sve u Kotoru, na inicijativu i u organizaciji Hr - Plovidba morima vatskog građanskog društva Crne Gore. Nije bilo lako ; trebalo je danonoćno raditi na usaglašava - dokumenata nju svakog detalja. I kada je već izgledalo da su ovo ipak prekrupni „zalogaji“ za jednu NVO, u kojoj djeluju uglav - STR. 10 nom entuzijasti, počeli su se uključivati novi , mladi članovi PREDSJEDNIK SKUPŠTINE CRNE GORE društva. Svoju potporu nesebično su, i svojom nazočnošću i RANKO KRIVOKAPIĆ akcijama, dali prijatelji iz Dubrovnika, ministarstva kulture i medija dviju država , Općina Kotor, Veleposlanstvo i Kon - Uvijek spreman zulat RH. Gradonačelnica Kotora došla je da otvori Regionalni su - da pomognem sret urednika , iako pod terapijom i sa visokom temperatu - STR. 14 rom. Pomoćnik ministra Željko Rutović, diplomate Nebojša Kirigin i Radojko Nižić ostali su do kraja susreta i aktivno POVJERENSTVO RASPODIJELILO sudjelovali u diskusiji . Jedan od sudionika skupa prokomen - SREDSTVA MVPEI RH tirao je kako prvi puta vidi tako nešto kada je u pitanju vlast Boćari pregazili Držića i predstavnici diplomacije. Mediji, dopisnici svih dnevnih listova, radio i TV stanica, STR. 24 propratili su sve spomenute događaje, dali najave, priloge, intervjue. PRVI REGIONALNI SUSRET UREDNIKA Sada, kada je sve iza nas i još pristižu pozitivni odjeci, HGDCG je ponosno što je ( i ne prvi puta) odradilo vrije - Za jačanje uloge dan posao od značaja za međudržavne odnose i očuvanje manjinskih medija identiteta hrvatske zajednice u Crnoj Gori.
    [Show full text]
  • Nation Building - Montenegro
    Report Nation building - Montenegro For: Client name October 2011 CONTENTS How to read tables 5 Results 7 Background .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 What is your citizenship? ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Witch passports do you hold? If you have more than one please name all of them ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Have you been born in Montenegro? .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 For how many years have you been living in this country? ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Second Quarterly Report on the State of Human Rights in Montenegro In
    YIHR QUARTERLY REPORT ON THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS 2011 I Previous information The second quarterly report of Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) includes information collected during the period from April 1, 2011 and June 1, 2011. In our work, we used techniques of researching on the terrain, press clipping, analysis, interviews, and SOS phone line. YIHR conducts monitoring of human rights in Montenegro for the fifth year in a row and until nowadays, our organization published five annual reports and more quarterly reports that are available on our web site www.yihr.me . The report includes areas we have identified through our previous work as concerning ones, and the accent is on the state of human rights in practice. More detailed legal analysis of standards of human rights is being prepared for the annual report. The Report has been prepared by YIHR team, with financial and expert support of Civil Rights Defenders. At the time of preparation of this Report, cooperation with CAZAS, UNICEF, UNHCR and Association of People with Paraplegia in Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje and Rožaje, has been achieved, just as in preparation of previous quarterly report. Census was conducted in April, 2011. Statistical Office of Montenegro announced that Montenegro had 625.266 citizens, which was only 5.000 more than in 2003. The Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg rendered fifth verdict against Montenegro. Currently, there are 700 cases at the procedure, which is very large number in comparison with the number of citizens. The Government and other public bodies continued good cooperation and communication with NGO sector.
    [Show full text]
  • Montenegro: Vassal Or Sovereign?
    Scholars Crossing Faculty Publications and Presentations Helms School of Government January 2009 Montenegro: Vassal or Sovereign? Octavian Sofansky Stephen R. Bowers Liberty University, [email protected] Marion T. Doss, Jr. Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/gov_fac_pubs Part of the Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Political Science Commons, and the Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons Recommended Citation Sofansky, Octavian; Bowers, Stephen R.; and Doss, Jr., Marion T., "Montenegro: Vassal or Sovereign?" (2009). Faculty Publications and Presentations. 28. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/gov_fac_pubs/28 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Helms School of Government at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications and Presentations by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Montenegro: Vassal or Sovereign? 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................ ................................ ............... 3 INTRODUCTION ................................ ................................ ......................... 4 STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF MONTENEGRO................................ .............. 6 INTERNAL POLITICAL DUALISM ................................ ................................ 12 RUSSIAN POLICY TOWARDS THE BALKANS................................ ............... 21 MULTILATERAL IMPLICATIONS
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée Parlementaire
    Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire http://assembly.coe.int Doc. 13217 30 May 2013 Observation of the presidential election in Montenegro (7 April 2013) Election observation report Ad hoc Committee of the Bureau Rapporteur: Mr Christopher CHOPE, United Kingdom, European Democrat Group Contents Page 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 2. Political and legal framework .................................................................................................................. 2 3. Election administration and registration of lists and candidates .............................................................2 4. The election campaign and the media environment ............................................................................... 4 5. Polling day .............................................................................................................................................. 6 6. Conclusions and recommendations........................................................................................................ 6 Appendix 1 – Composition of the ad hoc committee.................................................................................... 8 Appendix 2 – Programme of the election observation mission .................................................................... 9 Appendix 3 – Declaration of the presidential election observation mission ..............................................
    [Show full text]
  • Women in Politics in Montenegro June 2012
    ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN IN POLITICS IN MONTENEGRO JUNE 2012 139 Government of Montenegro Ministry of Justice Women in politics Montenegro, June 2012 1 ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN IN POLITICS IN MONTENEGRO JUNE 2012 2 ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN IN POLITICS IN MONTENEGRO JUNE 2012 Table of contents 1. Research methodology .................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Desk......................................................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Face-to-face (F-2-F) survey ....................................................................................................... 7 1.3 In-depth interviews .................................................................................................................. 8 1.4 Response meters ................................................................................................................... 10 2. Legal and strategic frame ............................................................................................................. 11 2.1 International standards and initiatives ................................................................................... 11 2.2 National normative and institutional frame............................................................................ 17 2.2.1. Normative and strategic frame ....................................................................................... 17 2.2.2. Institutional framework and incentive
    [Show full text]
  • H.E. Filip Vujanovic, President of Montenegro
    Vienna, 3 November 2014 President of Montenegro, H.E. Mr. Filip Vujanović Dear UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Dear representatives of the UN member states, Dear hosts, representatives of the Austrian Government, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honoured to address you on behalf of Montenegro and confirm that Montenegro joins the efforts of the United Nations and Secretary-General in solving special needs of the developing and least developed countries. Economic growth of these countries has significantly been limited due to their distance from the world market. As a transit and geographically small country, Montenegro sends a clear message from this Conference. I mean mobilization of additional international support for the landlocked developing countries as well as renewal of partnership with international financial and development institutions for these countries. This is crucial for full implementation of the basic document for the work of this Conference - Almaty Programme of Action. After ten years, we can be sure that development of infrastructure and connection, integration of transport systems, especially railway system, together with fostering legal basis for cooperation with transit countries, are prerequisites for economic progress of the landlocked developing countries. The role of the United Nations in this context is important, especially when it comes to better coordination of technical and financial assistance, primarily financial institutions - UN affiliations- World Bank, IFC and major donors, as well as ensuring concessional credits. Moreover, we have been aware that, over the last decade, further mechanisms of support for so-called "closed" countries have been developed internationally, such as trade facilitation, aid for trade, aid for development, while the development of regional trade cooperation has certainly contributed to the improvement of economic situation in most of the 32 landlocked developing countries.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Fast Track to Reform
    INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT OF MONTENEGRO On the fast track to reform Seizing the momentum in Montenegro From the perspective of a country with strong European roots now making every effort to get its democratic institutions up and running, the OSCE represents all the internationally prescribed standards and commitments that Montenegro — the world’s newest State — is striving to live up to, says President Filip Vujanovic. OSCE/RISTO BOZOVIC BY SUSANNA LÖÖF the referendum on Montenegro’s legal status as a State on 21 May and the declaration of ffice of the President, Podgorica — independence on 3 June, the Government Montenegro’s chances of moving rap- made known its wish to join the OSCE before Oidly towards accession to the European any other organization. Less than three weeks Union are “great” and “realistic”, President later, on 22 June, Montenegrin Ambassador Filip Vujanovic told the OSCE Magazine Vesko Garcevic took his seat in the Permanent in early October. By the end of this year, Council. Montenegro expects to sign the European On 1 September, a related momentous Union’s Stabilization and Association event took place in Finland. The Prime Agreement — the first legal step towards its Minister of Montenegro at the time, Milo accession. Djukanovic, signed the Helsinki Final Act in The country has world-renowned natural Finlandia Hall — where the Yugoslav leader, scenery that is attracting tourists and inves- Marshall Tito, had signed the landmark docu- tors, a sound economic development frame- ment 31 years earlier. work, and — with just 630,000 inhabitants — President Vujanovic said the fast accession a favourable demographic profile.
    [Show full text]
  • Uručene Nagrade Najuspješnijim Privrednicima ISSN 0350-5340 Godina LIII Broj 4 April 2017
    Obilježen Dan Privredne komore Crne Gore Uručene nagrade najuspješnijim privrednicima ISSN 0350-5340 Godina LIII Broj 4 April 2017. ISSN 0350-5340 Godina LIII Broj Nada Medenica Veselin Mijajlović Ratko Nikolić CETI RCUD Bijela Business Inteligence Consulting Do vrhunskih Ekonomska, Podrška rezultata kvalitetom i bezbjednosna i poslovnom inovacijama humana misija odlučivanju IMPRESUM Broj 4 April 2017. Sadržaj Izdavač: Privredna komora Crne Gore Novaka Miloševa 29/II Podgorica 81000, Crna Gora Tel: +382 20 230 545 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.privrednakomora.me Redakcijski odbor: Predsjednica: Ljiljana Filipović Članovi: Pavle D. Radovanović, Novica Bulatović, Tanja Radusinović, dr Mladen Perazić, mr Nina Drakić, Aleksandar Marđonović Urednica: Milka Pižurica Obilježen Dan Privredne komore Crne Gore Novinar: 6 Igor Perović Uručene nagrade najuspješnijim privrednicima Prevod: Dragana Domazetović Adresa Redakcije: Privredna komora Crne Gore/Glasnik The Chamber’s Day Novaka Miloševa 29/II 10 The most successful business entities awarded Podgorica 81000, Crna Gora Single Market Forum Tel: +382 20 230 439 21 Transparency aimed at balancing development of joint economy e-mail: [email protected] Nada Medenica, executive director of CETI Dizajn: 37 Quality and innovation lead to excellent results Privredna komora Crne Gore Conference List izlazi od 1964. godine i upisan je u 51 Tourism aimed at development of food production registar javnih glasila Crne Gore. Veselin Mijajlovic PDF verziju možete preuzeti na: 58 Economic, security and humanitarian
    [Show full text]
  • Serbia and Montenegro Union: Prospects and Policy Implications
    Order Code RS21568 Updated December 29, 2005 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Serbia and Montenegro Union: Prospects and Policy Implications Julie Kim Specialist in International Relations Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary Serbia and Montenegro are united in a highly decentralized joint state under an agreement brokered by the European Union (EU) in 2002 and 2003. Authorities in Montenegro are planning to hold a long-awaited referendum on independence in April 2006, as provided for in the union agreement. A sizeable minority of the population and the political opposition in Montenegro oppose independence. Most of Serbia’s political leaders support continuation of the union but say they will recognize any result that is accepted by the EU. Uncertainty about the state’s future comes at the same time as the EU is negotiating an association agreement with Serbia and Montenegro and as the international community is conducting talks on the future status of Kosovo, a disputed province in Serbia. This report may be updated as events warrant. For additional information, see CRS Report RL30371, Serbia and Montenegro: Current Situation and U.S. Policy, by Steven Woehrel . Introduction On February 4, 2003, a new common state of Serbia and Montenegro came into being, replacing the bi-republic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). The event quietly marked the culmination of intensive European Union-led efforts to negotiate the continuation of a common state, as well as the start of a process to implement and develop the blueprint for the new, highly decentralized state. The agreement to keep Serbia and Montenegro a single international entity was initially viewed as a foreign policy success for Javier Solana, the EU’s common foreign policy representative.
    [Show full text]
  • POLITICAL PARTY BUILDING and CIVIC DEVELOPMENT USAID Cooperative Agreement No: EE-A-00-98-00028-00 October 1 to December 31, 2001
    Quarterly Report MONTENEGRO: POLITICAL PARTY BUILDING AND CIVIC DEVELOPMENT USAID Cooperative Agreement No: EE-A-00-98-00028-00 October 1 to December 31, 2001 I. SUMMARY Uncertainty over the question of Montenegrin independence has continued with no end in sight to the political crisis. An October meeting among Serb, Montenegrin and Federal representatives did not resolve the federation's future. Although the U.S. and the European Union (EU) have pressured Montenegrin authorities to resume dialogue with Serbia and abandon independence plans, the Montenegrin government announced that the issue would be decided in a referendum held in early 2002. However, at the insistence of EU High Representative Javier Solana, the negotiations on the future of the federation resumed in mid-December. Meanwhile, a draft referendum law, heavily criticized by the OSCE since it provides for passage by simple majority only, did not pass in parliament. The pro-Yugoslavia opposition continued to demand an investigation of cigarette smuggling operations that implicate President Milo Djukanovic. Whether independent or not, Montenegro’s transition to a modern European actor will depend on its ability to build a democratic system that allows for informed and open debate related to the political reform process. The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is committed to supporting democratic reforms in Montenegro as it addresses the continued need for internal political liberalization. The long-term goal of NDI’s Montenegro program is to strengthen Montenegro’s emerging democratic political system through increased organizational capacity of and improved public outreach by political parties and through the initiation of direct participation in the political process by nongovernmental organizations as a means to promote civil society and broad-based citizen participation in political affairs.
    [Show full text]